Which Chrome version is required for the sidePanel API?

The sidePanel API is available in Chrome 114 and later versions using Manifest V3.

When should I choose a side panel over a popup?

Choose a side panel when the user needs a persistent workspace that stays open during browsing. Use a popup for quick, one-off actions that should close when the user clicks away.

How do side panels communicate with content scripts?

Side panels typically communicate with content scripts by routing messages through the background service worker using chrome.runtime.sendMessage or by establishing long-lived connections via chrome.runtime.connect.

Can I have different side panel content for different tabs?

Yes, by using the chrome.sidePanel.setOptions method with a specific tabId, you can define unique paths and behaviors for individual tabs.

Chrome Side Panel Development

Name: Chrome Side Panel Development
Author: francanete

byfrancanete

0•

Productivity & Workflow

Provides comprehensive patterns and implementation guides for building persistent user interfaces using the Chrome Extension sidePanel API.

This skill provides specialized architectural guidance for developing Chrome Extension side panels, a modern alternative to popups introduced in Chrome 114. It covers the complete development lifecycle, including Manifest V3 configuration, programmatic control via the chrome.sidePanel API, and sophisticated state management across global or per-tab contexts. Developers can leverage this skill to implement robust communication patterns between side panels, background workers, and content scripts, ensuring a seamless and persistent user experience that remains active during web navigation.

Key Features

01Programmatic panel control for global and per-tab implementations

02Advanced communication patterns (Side Panel to Background/Content)

03Lifecycle management and state persistence techniques

04Responsive UI design patterns specific to side panel constraints

05Manifest V3 side_panel configuration and permission setup

060 GitHub stars

Use Cases

01Building persistent AI assistants or productivity tools that stay open across tabs

02Creating context-aware panels that display site-specific metadata or tools

03Migrating legacy popup-based extensions to the more modern Side Panel API

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add francanete/fran-marketplace side-panel-development

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill